CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony kicked off Monday night in Chicago, and several chefs and restaurants in the Carolinas were hoping to secure a win.
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit established over 30 years ago; it aims to help the people who make the country's food culture what it is and to push for more inclusive and stronger standards in the industry.
The awards aired Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET, and are available to stream on YouTube.
These are the finalists and winners in the Carolinas:
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton
- WINNER: Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
- Dean Neff, Seabird, Wilmington, NC (finalist)
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
- WINNER: Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.
- Nikko Cagalanan, Kultura, Charleston, SC (finalist)
Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines
- WINNER: Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL
- Crawford and Son, Raleigh, NC (finalist)
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
- WINNER - Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, SC
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
- WINNER: Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV
- Jamie Davis, The Hackney, Washington, NC
- James London, Chubby Fish, Charleston, SC
- Robbie Robinson, City Limits Barbeque, West Columbia, SC
Two Charlotte chefs made it to the semifinals this year for Best Chef: Southeast, but were not selected for the finals.
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